Like other manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz uses samples of their products to demonstrate their abilities. Samples of all three variations of the W126 were manufactured for multiple purposes. This could have been vehicles for display on exhibitions, to be shown as demo cars to the audience. On the other hand this could have been also vehicles for solving road tests, many times in comparison with products of competitive manufacturers on TV or in magazines. Mercedes-Benz sold these cars after the end of their purpose. There are several features as modified parts or indications on tags and production stickers. But this is not always so and therfore the best indication is the original registration number, with the exception of vehicles for display on exhibitions which didn't need them. The vehicles for exhibitions have the option codes 994 and 997 on the tag in front of the radiator. Another indication for a press or exhibition car is the option code 992, which is specific for the purpose of the vehicle. This can be chromed parts in the engine bay or a modified engine with higher output. Also preproduction cars show these special option codes. The important option codes are: 991 992 993 991+992 994 997 These codes are not mentioned on the data card, as they could not be ordered regular by a customer. They can be found on the sticker under the hat rack (to be found via the boot) and on the above mentioned tag in front of the radiator. The following list shows all self known German registration numbers and the body styles. It would be a shame if the traces of these special W126 S-Classes got lost. If you own one of these cars, please contact me.

Reg. Number Bodystyle Series Owner S-DN 3687 S / SE 1 ??? S-DR 7518 S / SE 1 ??? S-EH 1266 S / SE 1 ??? S-EK 1051 S / SE / SEL 1 ??? K-AC 9260 S / SE / SEL 1 ??? S-EL 4924 S / SE 1 ??? S-EC 1047 500SEL 1 ??? S-EC 1045 380SE 1 ??? S-EK 1504 S / SE 1 ??? S-HV 9806 420SE 2 ??? S-HV 9719 300SE 2 ??? S-HV 9801 SEL 2 ??? S-HV 9822 560SEL 2 ??? S-HV 9824 560SEL 2 ??? S-HV 9828 560SEC 2 ??? S-HV 9813 SE 2 ??? S-HW 4471 SEL 2 ??? S-JN 1047 SEL 2 ??? S-JN 1077 560SEL 2 Ralf Kowalewski S-EC 1228 SEC 1 ??? S-EL 4907 SEC 1 ??? S-EC 1590 SEC 1 ??? S-EL 4901 380SEC 1 Alexander Tietje S-CU 7225 380SEC 1 ??? S-HV 9814 560SEC 2 ??? S-HV 9815 560SEC 2 ??? S-HV 9718 SEC 2 ??? S-EL 4906 SEC 1 ??? S-EL 4914 SEC 1 ??? S-EL 4909 SEC 1 ??? No Reg.Number 500SEC 2 Sean Rohe S-DU 5615 S / SE 1 ??? S-DU 5254 280SE 1 ??? S-EC 1044 SE 1 ??? S-EC 1911 SE 1 ??? S-EC 1042 S / SE / SEL 1 ??? S-EC 1041 280S 1 ??? S-DU 5611 S / SE 1 ??? S-DU 5079 S / SE 1 ??? S-DS 7957 S / SE 1 ??? S-EM 7924 S / SE 1 ??? S-KJ 5477 SEL 2 ??? S-JU 1897 500SE 2 ??? S-JN 1241 560SEL 2 ??? D-ZZ 104 560SEL 2 ??? S-JD 7440 560SEL 2 ??? S-JN 1267 SEL 2 ??? S-HM 9632 280SEL 2 ??? S-JA 8211 560SEC 2 ??? S-JN 1066 SEC 2 ??? S-JM 1846 SEC 2 ??? S-DW 5536 SEC 2 ??? S-EJ 2925 SEC 2 ??? M-WW 7127 SEL 2 ??? S-JN 1076 560SEL 2 Klaus ???

To be continued...